Golden StatE DISCOVERY

DAY 3 - DISNEYLAND DAY 2

Before returning to the Magic Kingdom to meet the family we placed on their respective bedroom beds shirts for each of them to wear this morning.

Shortly after blogging yesterday afternoon we made our way back to the Magic Kingdom to meet up with the family for dinner.

Before we forget, we wanted to mention that since last year's visit with Jennifer and Andre they have moved the location of security much closer to where you enter downtown Disney so that it is much further from the park area. This appears to be a very wise decision.

We met the family at the Carnation Cafe. This restaurant has been around as long as we can remember. We had lunch there on our first visit with Jennifer and Eric. A few months ago, we reviewed all restaurants that would take reservations sixty days prior to arrival, that could accommodate all nine of us at one table and whose food was appropriate for the family with the three grandchildren in mind. This restaurant worked out well.

Fitting the name of the restaurant, Red Carnations were placed on each table. The two of us along with Eric tried the fish of the day which was similar to salmon and that turned out to be a great decision. Jennifer and Gui had Salad Entrees and Kara had a Veggie Burger. Several of us had salads as a first course. The little ones seemed very pleased with their selections from the children's menu and congratulations to Andre for eating all of his chicken.

As it turned out there was a late afternoon parade which passed right by the restaurant. While we were waiting for the first course we would hear the music of the band playing and Jennifer and Kara took Emma, Jackson and Andre outside to watch them as they passed by the restaurant.

Following dinner we walked around the park. The crowds were far greater then we anticipated given that it was Sunday night with school for many children living in the area the following morning. We were all going to take the Monorail back towards the Hotel but the wait was estimated at 45 minutes. We walked back to the hotel with Eric, Kara and Jackson while the rest of the family stayed at the park for another hour. They were able to take the monorail as the wait time decreased to fifteen minutes. Back at the hotel it was bath time for Jackson and after along day they put him to sleep and we chatted with Eric and Kara until the rest of the family returned from the park. Although it had been a long day for Emma and Andre they were very chipper.

All in all yesterday was a great start of our family celebration. Keith took a break from taking photos so we have no photos from last evening to share with you. LOL, but after all this is vacation. ​

We all enjoyed an early breakfast at the Club Lounge.

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Since we are staying at one of the Disney Hotels we were able to get into California Adventure one hour before opening time. The park was not very crowded and we took advantage of that. Jennifer, Eric, Andre and Keith went on Cars a couple of times. When the park is crowded it can take one hour to get onto the ride. They were able to ride the cars twice in a total of 50 minutes. At the same time Anne Marie, Gui, Kara, Emma and Jackson went on Little Mermaid twice, Toy Story and the Carousel. That is where we all met up. From there everyone went on Golden Zepher. We all went on the Monsters Inc. Ride. From there it was time for lunch and we went to Boudin Bakery which many of you might know from San Francisco.

Afterwards Keith, Eric, Gui and Andre went on Star Tours, Jennifer and Emma went on other rides while Anne Marie, Kara and Jackson went back to the Hotel. Star Tours was the only ride where we had to wait for a long time. In this case one hour. The last time we went on Star Tours was in 1990 when Eric was close to the age that Andre is. The ride now included 3-D glasses and some different experiences. Everyone but Keith stayed at the park to go on a few other rides.

We will all meet up later this evening for a Disney Character Dinner.

All in all a fun day. The weather is superb and this is a terrific time to be at Disney before the Summer vacation season begins.​

We will post about dinner and the rest of the evening tomorrow.

TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.....

Walt Disney had a vision when he created Disneyland which opened in 1955. With each passing year, it is evident that his vision turned out to be a success. Although some of the original rides and dining venues and stores have been replaced, several still exist today. What remains constant is the vision that Walt Disney created of developing a magical park that children and adults of all different ages could visit and enjoy together. As they say the proof is in the pudding and that was evident yesterday between the size of the crowds and the joy and happiness that seemed to show on each person we saw.